Ice compartment for refrigerator cars



March 26,1940. c, OORMA 1,194,952

ICE CONPAR'IMENT FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed Aug. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Liz/a.

EW Q05 March 26, 1940. c. L. MOORMA-N ICE COIIPARTHENT FOR REFRIGERATOR GARS Filld Aug. 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 0- c. L. 00mm 2,194,952

coui'mmmur FOR anmmsamoa CARS Filgd Aug. 27. 1937' Sheets-Sheet 3 5 I Patented Mar. 26, 1949 UNITED srars ICE COMPARTMENT FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Charles L. Moorman, Chicago, lllL, assignor to Union Asbestos & Rubber Company, Chicago,

I ll., a corporation of Illinois Application August 27,

7 Claims.

purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The present invention-is an improvement over the structure set forth vand claimed in my copending application for patent entitledfIce compartment for refrigerator car, filed October 21, 1935, Serial No. 45,847. Y

In the manufacture of refrigerator cars, it is not only desirable to have an economical, simply constructed and readily installed refrigerator compartment, but it is also desirable to have a bulkhead assembly arranged to provide a maximum amount of cooling surface together with a great amount of ventilati0n,.so that circulating air may not only pass over the bulkhead but directly through the bulkhead assembly. It is also desirable to have a strong grate consistent with lightness of material, and to have the grate so proportioned that adequate ventilation through it is obtainable, regardless of the packing of the refrigerant used/ .With both the grate assembly and bulkhead assembly designed for the passage therethrough of circulating air,.air may circulate through the grate and the bulkhead assembly in a continuous movement, thus insuring maximum refrigerating efficiency from the particular refrigerant used. Difficulty has been experienced heretofore in providing a bulkhead.

partment'shaped with outstanding vanes, hollow.

on the inside to permit the entrance into the vanesor finsof refrigerant, the vanes or fins adequate strength and yet permits substantially being provided with numerous apertures through 1937, Serial No. 161,216

which circulating air may pass directlyinto con tact with the refrigerant.

A further object of the invention is the 'pro vision of a. bulkhead assembly including awall of a refrigerating compartment, which wall com 5 prises a plurality of spaced outstandinghollow fins, the fins and the wall space therebetween being provided with numerous openings through which circulating air may pass.

. It is alsoan object of this invention to provide a refrigerant compartment having a novel grate construction'so designed as to provide more than adequate strength and yet permit the passage of circulatingair directly through thegrate in a much greater quantity than with any grate construction heretofore known: 1 Another feature of the invention is to provide a refrigerant compartment including agrate construction which maybe installed in relatively 20 wide sections, each section comprising a unitary element shaped to provide a plurality'of upright beam-like portions with openings therebetween, said openings extending substantially the width of the grate. I

Still another object of theinvention is the prof vision of a refrigerant compartment containing a grate construction made up of unitary sections, each section comprising a plurality of spaced hollow upstanding vanes eachhaving a plurality of apertures therein, with a relatively large opening extending substantially the width of the grate construction'between adjacent vanes.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide I a refrigerant compartment containing agrate construction which is exceedingly economical to install, which is very durable, and which provides maximum ventilation andmore'than ade-' quate strength. I y

'A further'objectof the invention is the-provisionof a refrigerant compartment containing a grate construction having ventilation openings therein so situated that it is practically impossible for refrigerant to become so disposed as to prevent circulating air from passing through the major portion'ofsaid openings.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a refrigerant compartment having a wall provided with numerous openings and a grate construction also provided with numerous openings, both the wall and grate-construction being designed so' that it is practically impossible for refrigerant to prevent circulating air from passing through at least a great number of the openings whereby circulating air may'pass in ar55 continuous stream through said wall and through the grate construction.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a refrigerator car, with parts broken away, looking towards the refrigerant compartment at one end of the car, showing a refrigerant compartment embodying principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through the refrigerant compartment, taken substantially as indicated by the line ILL-i1 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one of the panels of the bulkhead assembly;

Figure 4 isa top plan view of the structure of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan View of the grate assembly;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the structure of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the grate construction, with certain of the adjacent parts being shown in section;

Figure 8 is a plan sectional view, taken through the bulkhead assembly, looking down upon the structure of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view, taken substantially as indicated by the line IXIX of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

As shown on the drawings:

The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown in connection with a freight or refrigerator car of substantially any standard construction, of which the body portion of the car is illustrated.

Exclusive of external supporting means, the car includes an insulated floor I0, insulated side and end walls I I and false side and end walls I2 spaced from the walls I I to provide an insulating dead air space therebetween. The car is also provided with a suitable roof I 3 and a false insulated roof I 4 extending at least over the refrigerator compartment and preferably over the entire car. A suitable hatch i5 is provided in the roof I3 communicating directly with the refrigerant compartment below the false roof IQ. Of course, in most instances, the refrigerator car will be provided with a refrigerant compartment at each end thereof. Between the refrigerant compartments, there is preferably a false floor I 6 elevated from the insulated floor If! so that air may circulate freely beneath the floor I6.

Each of the refrigerant compartments preferably extends across one end of the car and is enclosed on each side by the false walls I2, on the end by a second false wall I! which is preferably metallic and spaced from the end false wall E2 to provide a dead air insulation space, and by a bulkhead assembly which will be later more fully described herein. The refrigerant compartment may be filled through the hatch I5 with any suitable refrigerant, such as ice, for example.

When a refrigerant such as ice is used. ade quate drainage means must also be provided for the elimination of melted refrigerant. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the floors l0 and I6 terminate adjacent a refrigerant compartment I8 defined as outlined above. Immediately beneath the bulkhead assembly is a supporting joist or stringer I9 shouldered to accommodate a wooden floor section 20 preferably covered. by a metallic member 2|. Another timber 22 aids in supporting the floor section 20, and this timber together with the fioor.20 is hollowed out to receive a drain catch 23 which may be integral with the metallic covering ZI. Through this catch a drain pipe 24 extends leading outside of the car as a whole,and the upper end of the pipe may be protected by a scum hood or the like 25.

The present invention centers itself more particularly in the novel refrigerant compartment l8, with special reference to the novel bulkhead assembly and the novel grate construction and their association with each other. The bulkhead assembly and grate construction are so designed that air may readily circulate directly through either of them, and if air is moving in a certain direction, it may pass through the bulkhead assembly and through the grate construction in a continuous path. In other words, with the present invention a full and complete circulation of air is provided so that the air circulating through the grate and that circulating through the bulkhead assembly are not kept separate. The arrangement of the bulkhead assembly and the grate construction is such that there will at all times be a good circulation of air through each of the parts of the refrigerant compartment, regardless of the position or disposition the refrigerant may assume while melting.

The bulkhead assembly includes a plurality of side-flanged stirrups 26 shaped to seat upon the aforesaid stringer I9. These stirrups are placed in suitable spaced relationship and each is designed to accommodate a pair of vertical channel irons disposed back to back to form a composite H-beam 21. Of course, the channel irons may be bolted or otherwise secured to the stirrups and the stirrups may be attached to the stringer in any suitable manner.

Between adjacent H-beams 21 and secured to the webs thereof in any suitable manner is a metallic section 28, a plurality of which form a front for the refrigerant compartment. As best seen in Figures 3 and a, each of the sections 28 is provided with a plurality of outstanding substantially v-shaped vanes or fins 29. These fins are hollow so that refrigerant may enter into them, and the fins are preferably separated leaving substantially flat portions of the sectiontherebetween. The sides'of each section are formed into opposed outstanding flanges 3U--3U, which flanges are secured inside the confronting channels and to the webs of adjacent H-beams 21, as indicated in Figure 2. It will be noted that such construction of the sections 28 results in increased surface areafor contact by circulating air passing over the front of the sections 28 between them and a suitable bulkhead 3|, which may be made of wood or any other suitable material. As seen best in Figure 8, the bulkhead is preferably disposed against the outer edges of the fins 29, so that a plurality of air passages 32 are formed between adjacent fins. With reference to Figure 2, it will be seen that an imperforate baffle 33 is mounted above the sections 28 and above the bulkhead 3i to guide Warm air downwardly through the passages 32. This baffie preferably slopes inwardly and is, of course, imperforate. Of course, the fins terminate below the false roof It will be noted that each grate section is l4, and the bulkhead terminates above the lower portions of the sections 28, so that air may freely circulate downwardly through the passages 32 and escape into the body portion of the car through the opening between the bulkhead and the false floor it.

It will be especially noted that not only the fins 29 but the flat portions therebetween are provided with numerous apertures or openings 34, so that air may not only circulate over the sections 28 but may also pass directly through them and enter the refrigerant compartment l8. The openings 34 are so numerous as to effectively prevent clogging of more than a few of them by melting refrigerant.

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, it will be seen that the stirrups 26 are provided with flanges 35 extending into the refrigerant compartment l8. Seated across these flanges is an angle iron 36 which extends substantially across the refrigerant compartment, as seen in Figure 9.

Adjacent theend of the car, a plurality of upright supports 3! are provided, each of which is topped by an inverted angle iron or the equivalent 38, likewise extending substantially entirely across the refrigerant compartment. The angle irons 36 and 38 form a support for the novel grate construction now about to be described.

The grate construction also includes a plurality of separate sections, each of which is generally indicated by numeral 39. These sections may be merely laid upon the angle irons 36, or if preferred, they may be bolted thereto or secured in any other suitable manner. It is not necessary for the sections to be secured to the angle irons, because the sections interlock with each other and extend the full width of the refrigerant compartment, and even though rather large chunks of refrigerant be dropped through the hatch I5 upon the grate, they cannot become disordered.

The grate sections are seen more clearly in Figures 5, 6, '7, 8 and 9. Each section is preferably stamped or otherwise formed out of metal and so shaped as to provide a plurality of upstanding ridges or fins Ml extending the full length of the section. Between the upstanding ridges 40, flat spaces 4| are provided at each end of the section, these flat spaces resting upon the aforesaid angle irons 36 and 38. As best seen in Figure 9, the ridges 40 extend both above and below the flat portions 4!. The ridges are hollow beneath and terminate in such a manner as to provide a materially large aperture 42 extending substantially the full length of the sections between each adjacent pair of ridges. At each end of the section, the lower portions of the ridges or ribs 43 merge upwardly into a flat portion 4|, as indicated at 3. Besides the large openings 42, each of the ribs 40 is provided with numerous apertures 44 on each side thereof, so that it is practically impossible for melting .re-

frigerant to assume any position so as to block a flow of air through most of the openings 44 and through the major portions of the large openings 42.

Each grate section at one end thereof is provided with an upstanding flange 45, and at the other end with an upstanding flange having a hooked top 16 whereby the various grate sections may be effectively interlocked together, as indicated at E1 in Figure 9. It is a simple expedient to lay the various grate sections 39 in position in their interlocked relationship and they will remain firmly in place.

relatively light and yet so formed as to have more than adequate strength, while permitting greatly increased air circulation therethrough over any-' thing known heretofore. The grate as a whole is elevated above the metallic flooring'element 2| so that there is ample room for aircirculation beneath the grate. The air may circulatedownwardly through the passages-32, inwardly through the openings 34, down through the grate sections themselves, so that air may pass at any time in a continuous path through both the grate structure and the bulkhead assembly. With such construction, adequate use is made of the cool air at thebo ttorn of the refrigerant compartment, and this cool air is not permitted. to merely remain idle at the bottom of the refrigerant compartment, but is circulated as an aid in keeping the contents of the .car in a satisfactory refrigerated condition.

His further apparent that my novel refrigerant compartment, with special reference to the grate structure and bulkhead assembly, may be very easily installed and is extremely economical, yet

possessed of more than ample strength and durability. I I

lam aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwisethan is necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as myinvention:

refrigerant compartment, one of said walls being of material of higher, heat conductivity than the other walls and having a plurality of hollow vertically extending fins, said finsfbeing provided with numerous perforations, and a bulkhead disposed against the outer ends of said fins to provide air passages, the space between'the-bulkhead and said wall being open both at the top and bottom thereof, and means arranged to guide and the in said compartment including a plurality of grate sections each freely carried by said supports and shaped to provide. upstanding ribs with a relatively large opening between adjacent ribs, said ribs each having numerous apertures therein, andcomplemental formations carried by said sectionsfor interlocking engagement.

4.111. a refrigerator car, means defining a refrigerant compartment, a grate in said compartment including a grate section having a fiat portion at each side thereof for engagement with supports, and said section being shaped to provide a plurality of spaced upstanding ribs with an elongated opening between adjacent ribs,

said ribs extending above and belowsaid flat portions, andsaid ribs being hollow and" provided with numerous openings in the side walls thereof.

5. In a refrigerator car, means defining a 1. In a refrigerating car, walls defining a Q refrigerant compartment, a grate in said compaitment including a grate section shaped to provide a plurality of spaced hollow upstanding ribs open underneath and closed at the top and each having numerous apertures in the upper part thereof, and a bulkhead assembly including a wall of tortuous configuration having numerous openings therein to permit a circulation of air in a continuous path through said grate and said Wall.

6. In a refrigerator unit, means defining a refrigerant compartment, supports along opposed sides of said compartment, a grate in said compartment including a plurality of grate sections each having a portion at each side thereof to loosely rest on said supports, each said section being shaped to provide a plurality of spaced hollow ribs closed at the tops and having numerous openings in the side walls thereof, there being an elongated opening between adjacent ribs, and said sections having complemental formations thereon for interlocking association each with the one adjacent.

'7. In a refrigerator car, means defining a refrigerant compartment, grate supports, a grate in said compartment including a plurality of grate sections each freely carried by said supports and shaped to provide upstanding ribs with a relatively large opening between adjacent ribs, said ribs each having numerous apertures therein, and coinplemental formations carried by said sections for interlocking engagement, said sections being sized in keeping with the compartment so that a plurality of said sections will properly cover the compartment between the side walls thereof.

CHARLES L. MOORMAN. 

